1907 in New Zealand

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1907 in New Zealand:
Other years in New Zealand
1904 • 1905 • 1906 • 1907 • 1908 • 1909 • 1910

There were celebrations throughout the country this year when New Zealand went from colony to independent dominion status by proclamation of King Edward VII on September 26. In Wellington on 11 December there was great sensation when the tinder-dry Parliament buildings burned to the ground.

Contents

[edit] Incumbents

[edit] Regal and Vice Regal

[edit] Government

The 16th New Zealand Parliament, Liberal

[edit] Parliamentary opposition

[edit] Main centre leaders

[edit] Appointments and awards

  • Prime Minister Joseph Ward was appointed to the Privy Council.
  • James Mills, a prominent businessman, ship-owner and politician became the first person born in New Zealand to be knighted (Knight Bachelor).

[edit] Events

  • The Tohunga Suppression Act was passed by parliament, sponsored by Maui Pomare.
  • Rua Kenana, a self proclaimed prophet, established a religious community at the foot of Maungapōhatu, the sacred Tūhoe mountain in the Ureweras.
  • The Colonial Secretary’s Office was renamed the Department of Internal Affairs.
  • St Paul's Church in Dunedin was consecrated by Bishop Churchill Julius.
  • Flooding data from the Taupo, Tongariro, Waipa, and Waikato river systems this year remain the highest on record.

[edit] Health

  • Dr Sir Frederick Truby King established the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children which became The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, known simply as Plunket. The society established Plunket Rooms throughout the country and provided especially trained nurses who have advised and assisted countless thousands of grateful New Zealand mothers since, free of charge.
  • The first Home of Compassion was opened, at Island Bay in Wellington, by Mother Suzanne Aubert who had founded the congregation of the Sisters of Compassion in Jerusalem on the Whanganui River in 1892.
  • The country's first dental school opened at Otago University, the first dean being Sir Henry Percy Pickerill who pioneered reconstructive surgery of the jaw and face.

[edit] Arts and literature

  • The Edmonds Cookbook was first published this year, the quintessential guide to New Zealand cuisine which is still a big seller.
  • The School Journal was also introduced this year, an education resource distributed to schools throughout the land.
  • Celebrated artist Frances Hodgkins held her first solo exhibition this year, in London, which helped her reputation soar in Europe.
  • A.H. & A.W. Reed, the country's most popular and dominant publishing firm, is established in Dunedin
  • The House of Royal Doulton produced Kia Ora, a ceramic series of New Zealand themes which became a collectors' item.

[edit] The sciences

  • Thames astronomer John Grigg discovered his third comet, all of which are named after him.
  • Pioneer aircraft designer Richard Pearse finally patents details for his wings and aircraft controls.

[edit] Flora and fauna

  • The now extinct Huia bird which was endemic to New Zealand, was last seen in the Tararua Ranges on 28 December but full protection was promulgated this year for the tui, kākā, paradise duck and oystercatcher.
  • Chamois deer, six does and two bucks from Neuberg in Austria, were introduced to the country and released in the Aoraki/Mount Cook area as a hunting resource.
  • This was the peak year in the country's history for milling for export of the rapidly disappearing native kauri.
  • Part of Newtown Park at Wellington was developed into the country's first zoo and was opened this year.

[edit] Media

  • On the day New Zealand became a Dominion, to mark the occasion the first issue of The Dominion newspaper was published in Wellington (now the Dominion Post).
  • After 36 years of publication, the authoritative weekly paper, the New Zealand Mail, closes.

[edit] Transport

  • In December, the Maori II made its first run between Lyttelton and Wellington, a triple-screw steamer which was the first purpose-built, inter-island ferry in the country.

[edit] Sport

[edit] Boxing (amateur)

  • NZ heavyweight champion, J Lloyd (Canterbury).
  • NZ middleweight champion, J Gilmour (Canterbury).
  • NZ Lightweight champion, R Mayze (Canterbury).
  • NZ featherweight champion, E Sanderson, (Auckland).
  • NZ bantamweight champion, B Tracy (Wellington).

[edit] Cricket

  • Inaugural year of Plunket Shield, won by Canterbury.
  • The MCC toured the country, losing to New Zealand at the Basin Reserve, but winning at Lancaster Park.

[edit] Golf

[edit] Hockey

  • The Challenge Shield was introduced.

[edit] Netball

  • Women's basketball, now called Netball, was introduced to the country by J. C. Jamieson when a demonstration match between Eden and Epsom was played in an Auckland paddock.

[edit] Racing

  • Apologue became the first New Zealand-owned horse to win the Melbourne Cup.
  • Auckland Cup: Zimmerman.
  • Wellington Cup: Achilles.
  • New Zealand Derby: Elevation.
  • Shooting: the Collins Challenge Shield was introduced by the National Rifle Association.
  • Rowing: William Webb of Wanganui defeated Australian Charles Towns on August 3 for the World Professional Sculling Championship, the first rowing title won by New Zealand.

[edit] Rugby union

  • Auckland defended the Ranfurly Shield against Buller (21-0), Hawkes Bay (12-3) and Wanganui(6-5).
  • The All Blacks toured Australia, winning both tests. They also played Wellington.
  • A record crowd of 52,411 packed the Sydney Cricket Ground for the All Blacks v NSW match.

[edit] Rugby league

  • The All Golds New Zealand league team toured Britain, before a match had been played or a club had been formed in New Zealand.

[edit] Tennis

[edit] Births

[edit] Deaths

[edit] References

  • Gordon McLauchlan (1992). The Illustrated encyclopedia of New Zealand. David Bateman Ltd, Glenfield, NZ. ISBN 1-86953-007-1. 

[edit] See also

For world events and topics in 1907 not specifically related to New Zealand see: 1907